Automatically self-cleaning shower heads



l M 1|. J. FIILLIUNG mm.

AUTOMATICALLY SELF-CLEANING SHOWER HEADS Filed Jan. 6, 1954 w WW w 1 0 w! 2 M :V m A W H www 20 22% w m 2 I 3 7 3? 5 1! h 3 1 w 2 6 2 0 5 INVENTORS JACQUES a F/LLl'l/A/G Jmms J. 51M??? a /M -W United States Patent "Ofiice 2,770,497 Patented Nov. 13, 1956 AUTOMATICALLY SELF-CLEANING SHOWER HEADS Jacques J. Filliung, Chicago, and James J. Swartz, Berwyn, 11]., assignors to Sloan Valve Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application January 6, 1954, Serial No. 402,536

6 Claims. (Cl. 299-59) This invention relates to shower heads for use in shower bathing, and the principal object of the invention is to design a new and improved shower head which is automatically self-cleaning in action.

Another object is to design a new and improved shower head which automatically flushes out sediment from the shower head each time it is operated.

A further object is to provide a novel shower head having a spray dispersing disc which is automatically projected into spray position each time the shower head is used and which is withdrawn to drain the shower head when water flow through the head is discontinued.

Another object is to provide a flexible diaphragm for a shower head which is flexed outward by water flow to project the spray dispersing disc into the spray discharge opening and which restores the dispersing disc when water flow ceases.

Additional objects are to design a new and improved shower head which is simple and durable in construction, efficient and reliable in operation, and eliminates constant maintenance and servicing.

In most shower heads having a manual adjustable spray dispersing disc a means is usually provided for variably adjusting the type of spray desired so that a bather can select either a fine needle spray or a coarse spray. After using the shower head the bather is supposed to turn the adjusting means so that a wide gap is presented between the spray disc and the cap surrounding the disc to drain the head of water and to flush out sediment as well as prevent after drip. Invariably the bather neglects to perform this act or is ignorant of this requirement. As a result, the shower head eventually becomes clogged and useless because of the accumulation of lime deposits, and must be serviced and repaired. In hotels and other institutions this servicing and maintenance becomes a costly item. It is an object of the present invention therefore to design 'a new and improved shower head which is automatically self-cleaning so that the foregoing disadvantages are entirely obviated.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, operation, and combination of elements which will be fully described and pointed out hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a cross-sectional view through the shower head of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the shower head in operation with water flowing through it;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the flexible diaphragm of the invention;

'Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the novel shower head, while Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modification showing an adjustable spray shower head.

The drawings illustrate preferred and modified embodimerits of the invention as installed for use in a shower stall or above a bath tub in the customary manner. The shower head comprises a cylindrical shaped body or casing 5 having a cap 6 threaded on the open end thereof, which cap is provided with a large spray discharge opening, as shown. At the upper end of the body 5 a neck portion 7 is provided upon which a coupling nut 8 is threaded for holding a ball joint 9 against the packing 10 to provide a universal joint, so that the shower head can be swung in any direction in accordance with the desire of the user. Au internally threaded nipple 11 is formed integral with the ball 9 and is preferably provided with a manually operated throttle valve 12 in the side thereof for regulating the flow rate through the shower head. The nipple 111 and ball 9 are also provided with an internal bore or water passage 13. The body 5 has an axial opening formed therein in which a. cup-shaped member 14- is arranged. This cup member 14 has a depending stem portion 15, while the sides of the cup have two oppositely disposed water openings 16 therein. These water openings 16 provide communication from the supply passage 13 into apressure chamber 17 arranged around the sides of the cup-shaped member 14. A ring-shaped projection .18 is formed on the bottom of the inner edge of the opening in body 5 and serves as a bearing or guide for the reciprocating movement of the cup-shaped member 14. It also blocks the flow of water through the head until the cup openings 16 are projected past the projection 18. The cup member 14 is adapted to be projected downward beyond the bottom edge 19 of the body 5, as will be pointed out.

A flexible circular diaphragm 20, more clearly seen in Fig. 3, is arranged across the opening in. the casing 5, and is held at its periphery 21 against the bottom 19 by being clamped between the casing and the cap member 6 when the cap member is screwed tightly in position on the body. The peripheral edge portion 121 of the diaphragm 20 is enlarged where it is clamped to the body and preferably has a thin metal ring 22 molded or imbedded within it to provide better clamping and holding means at that point. The diaphragm 20 is provided with a plurality of water openings 23 extending through it which are located between its outer periphery 21 and the inner axial opening 24 in the diaphragm. Around the inner opening 24 there is a metal reinforcing ring 25 to provide better clamping.

The inner edge portion 24 of the diaphragm 20 is securely clamped in position around the stem portion 15 of the cup member 14, between the bottom of the cup 14 and a spray dispersing disc 26. This spray dispersing disc is preferably constructed of some plastic material, but may be of metal, and is held on the stem 15 by means of a bolt 27 threaded into stem 15 with a metal plate 28 under the head to provide for better holding of the disc 26. The peripheral edge of the spray disc 26 has a series of grooves or spray passages 29 formed around it which are preferably arranged at two .inwardly inclined angles on the disc to discharge two concentric coneshaped spray patterns of water. When the disc 26 is projected outward, as will be hereinafter described, a stop 39 formed in the grooves 29 cooperates with the inner edge 31 of the cap 6 to stop the movement of the disc 26, so that the concentric spray pattern issues from the inner edge 31 of the cap 6.

It will be noted that the water flow is prevented from taking place through the shower head because the sides of the cup-shaped member 14 are in contact with the ring-shaped portion 18 in the casing 5. The openings 23 of the diaphragm have a total effective area which is preferably greater than either the openings 16 or the spray opening 31.

In the normal position of the diaphragm 20, as shown in Fig. l, the diaphragm extends completely across the axial opening in the casing 5, and may be initially prestretched to be normally under tension when assembled in the position shown. The amount of stretch is governed by the top edge of the cup member 14 engaging the shoulder below the body neck 7 which also determines the extent to which the disc 26 is withdrawn from the spray opening 31. The diaphragm could be arranged if desired without previous stress being placed in it, although it is preferable that it be slightly tensioned in its normal position as shown. This feature enables the diaphragm to have its service life extended without later on incurring a slight amount of sag or to lose its elasticity. The diaphragm is preferably constructed of rubber, but may be any other material which is flexible and can withstand the action of hot water.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, this shows the operation of the shower head during the time that water is flowing through it and a spray is being discharged from its outlet. When the water is turned on in a shower head, which is usually done by manipulating hot and cold water valves separately or by means of a mixing valve, water fiows through the nipple 11, passage 13 and into the pressure chamber 17 in the body 5. Since the ring 18 blocks off the water flow through holes 16 pressure is built up within the chamber 17 until suflicient pressure is generated to project the cup-shaped member 14 outwardly and downwardly. The member 14 therefore acts as a piston guided by the ring 18 and thereby pushes the diaphragm 20 downwardly, away from the lower edge 19 of the casing into the position shown in Fig. 2. At the same time, the openings 16 of the piston 14 are projected below the ring 18, so that the openings 16 are now exposed to the passage of water therethrough, as shown. Furthermore, along with the stretching of diaphragm 20, the spray dispersing disc 16 is projected downwardly into the opening of cap 6 until the grooves 29 are stopped by the edge 31 of the cap 6, and no further movement can take place of either the disc 26 or the diaphragm 20. Water flow now takes place through the openings 16, the openings 23 of the diaphragm 20, the spray grooves 29 of disc 26, and out through the peripheral edge 31 of the cap 6 into double cone-shaped patterns, where it is dispersed upon the bather. As long as water flows through the shower head, the position of the elements described is maintained regardless of the fluctuations in water supply pressures.

The metal insert 22 assists in preventing pulling of the diaphragm from its peripheral support, so that the diaphragm is tightly held at its periphery. while at the same time the enlarged clamped edge portion 21 serves to prevent leakage of water outwardly between the threads of cap 6 and body 5. At the inner edge 24 of the diaphragm 29, the enlarged portion with the insert 25 in it, which is securely-clamped to the stem 15, prevents leakage inwardly around the screw 27.

It will be noted that the diaphragm has been stretched considerably in its operated position in Fig. 2 from the normal position shown in Fig. 1. By this action, a certain amount of tension has been stored in the diaphragm. The amount of tension has been chosen so that the diaphragm will be maintained in its operated position by the water pressure, regardless of minor fluctuations in pressure which may exist in the water supply line.

When the water to the shower head is to be shut ott, the supply valves are closed in the regular manner and this action immediately releases the pressure in the pressure chamber 17 of the shower head. As a result, the tension stored in the diaphragm 20 is sufiicient to move the cup member or piston 14 upwardly again to its normal position shown in Fig. 1. The spray disc 26 is likewise moved upwardly and out of engagement with the spray opening 31 at this time. This action occurs immediately that water flow ceases, and as a result, the accumulated water within the shower head and above disc 26, as well as above diaphragm 20, is quickly expelled outwardly from the large gap or opening 32, now provided at that point. Consequently no annoying after drip can occur in the shower head. Furthermore, no water remains within the head which would gradually evaporate and leave deposits of lime on the grooves 29 of disc 26 to cause clogging of the shower head such as occurs in ordinary shower heads. Likewise, the interior of the head is flushed out each time through the large gap 32 after use, so that no sediment, sand or other water borne materials can lodge within the head to cause it to fail to operate.

It is seen that the spray dispersing disc 26 is projected outwardly into spraying position each time that a bather turns on the water to the shower head and no further action 011 the part of the user of the head is necessary to provide the self-cleaning feature in the shower head. The action is entirely automatic.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 discloses an automatically self-cleaning shower head in which a number of the parts are similar to those shown in Fig. 1. However, the body 5 is arranged with an axial passage 33 in which a nut 34 for screw 27 is positioned. The diaphragm 20 is also arranged completely flat across and parallel with the bottom edge 35 of the casing 5. In this arrangement it will be observed there is no cupshaped piston, such as is shown in Fig. 1. The openings 23 in the diaphragm 20 are normally closed as shown and arranged between the bottom edge 35 of casing 5 and the top edge of spray disc 26, so that no water can flow through the shower head in the normal position shown.

When the water flow is turned on, it passes through the passage 13 of the nipple 11, pressure chamber 17, and then exerts its force against the nut 34', and then against the top side of diaphragm 20. As the diaphragm 20 is stretched, eventually the openings 23 will be moved away from the bottom 35 of easing 5 and the top of spray disc 26, permitting water flow to take place through the passage 33 and Openings 23. By this time, the spray disc 26 has been projected through the opening 31 of cap 6, so that the water issues in the form of a spray pattern through the grooves 29 when the disc is stopped by the ledge 30 on the grooves engaging the edge 31 of a cap 6. In this position, the diaphragm 20 has been stretched by the water pressure to a position similar to that shown in Fig. 2. Whereas it was immaterial in the diaphragm 20 of Fig. 1 whether the holes 23 were of a certain size or area, the openings 23 in Fig. 4 must be smaller in total aggregate area than the area of the spray discharge opening 31 between the grooves 29 and the edge 31, in order that the pressure may be effective on the diaphragm to project the disc 26 downward.

When water flow ceases through the shower head of Fig. 4, the diaphragm having been held in stretched position by the water pressure, now snaps upwardly against the bottom side 35 of the casing 5, pulling the spray disc 26 with it and again opening a wide passage 32 for instant draining of the shower head.

Referring now to Fig. 5, this shows a modification of the invention which is along the lines disclosed in Fig. 4, with the exception that the spray disc 26 is made adjustable to provide a variable spray discharge according to the wishes of the user. The casing 5 is arranged in a hollow form having the pressure chamber 17 in it, and across the bottom is a circular plate 40 having an upstanding cylindrical portion 41 arranged in it. The piston or cup-shaped member 14 is movable within the upstanding portion 41, and the diaphragm 20 is clamped at its peripheral edge directly against and across the bottom of the plate 40 in the normal position as shown. The spray grooves 44 on disc 26, however, are not provided with a stopping portion 30, as those in Fig. 1, but have the edges of the grooves formed perfectly vertical, so that they have a sliding fit with the inner edge 31 of the cap 6. To provide for various adjustable positions of the disc 26, a manually operated screw knob 42 is threaded through the stem 15 of piston 14, and at its top edge is provided with an X-shaped spider 43 which is adapted to contact the top edge of the upstanding portion 41. Adjusting the knob 42 will vary the gap or distance between the under side of the spider 43 and the top of the portion 41. In operation, the modification of Fig. 5 is similar to the other shower heads described, in that water pressure is exerted within the piston 14 to project the diaphragm 20 and spray disc 26 downwardly so that the disc extends through the inner edge 31 of cap 6, water flow taking place through the openings 16 of the piston and 23 of the diaphragm when the openings 16 are below the bottom of plate 40. The stopping position of the disc 26 and that of the diaphragm 20 takes place when the spider 43 strikes the top of the member 41. Since the spray grooves 44 are tapered upwardly and inwardly, their relative stopping position with respect to the edge portion 31 of cap 6 can be varied, and as a consequence, different spray characteristics may be provided, so that a very fine and sharp needle spray or a coarse spray may be selected, by merely adjusting the knob 42. As before, the diaphragm 20 is stretched as shown in Fig. 2, and upon cessation of water flow, the stress stored up in the diaphragm is effective to restore the piston 14 and the spray disc 26 to the position shown in Fig. 5 and thereby present a Wide gap 32 within the shower head so that it is instantly drained.

In each of the modifications shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, it is to be noted that no water can issue from the shower head until suflicient pressure has been built up within the cup-shaped piston 14 to project the spray disc 26 downwardly into its spray position. This insures that such movement will always take place. In the modification shown in Fig. 4 a similar action takes place without the piston but instead the diaphragm 26 is normally held up on the under side of the casing, and on the top side of the spray disc closing the openings 23, and the same result in accomplished.

The invention has been described more or less specific as to the details including the modifications thereof. It is to be understood, however, that the same is not to be limited thereby as various changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts and elements, and that equivalents may be substituted therefor, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automatically self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water passage therethrough, a flexible diaphragm arranged normally across the bottom of said casing across said water passage, and having openings therein for water passage, a cap threaded onto the bottom of said casing, said cap having a large spray discharge opening therein spaced below said diaphragm, a spray dispersing disc attached to the bottom of said diaphragm and spaced from said spray discharge opening, a pressure member attached to the top of said diaphragm and normally extending into said water passage, said pressure member being movable responsive to water flow into said water passage to cause flexing of said diaphragm away from the bottom of said casing, said diaphragm thereby projecting said spray dispersing disc into said spray discharge opening, said pressure member having openings in the sides thereof registering with the bottom of said casing when moved whereby Water can only flow through said openings from said water passage when said spray dispersing disc is in engagement with said spray discharge opening, said flexible diaphragm restoring said pressure member and spray dispersing disc to normal position when water flow through said device ceases.

2. In an automatically self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water passage therethrough, a flexible diaphragm normally arranged across the bottom of said casing and said Water passage, a cap threaded onto the bottom of said casing and clamping the edge of said diaphragm to said casing, said cap having a large spray discharge opening therein, a spray dispersing disc attached to the bottom of said diaphragm and spaced from said discharge opening, a cup-shaped pressure member attached to the top of said diaphragm extending into and movable out of said Water passage, said pressure member movable responsive to water flow into said water passage for causing flexure of said diaphragm and thereby to project said dispersing disc into said spray discharge opening, said pressure member having openings therein which prevent Water flow until said pressure member has been moved sufficiently downward to project said spray dispersing disc into said discharge opening, said diaphragm also having openings therein for passage of water therethrough between said pressure member openings and said spray discharge opening, said diaphragm restoring said pressure member and said dispersing disc upon cessation of water flow through said water passage, the openings in said diaphragm being of greater area than the openings in said pressure member.

3. In an automatically self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water passage therethrough, a cap threaded onto said casing and having a spray discharge opening therein, a flexible diaphragm extending across the bottom of said casing and said water passage, the periphery of said diaphragm being securely clamped to said casing by said cap, a spray dispersing disc attached to the bottom of said diaphragm at the axis thereof, a cup-shaped pressure member attached to the top of said diaphragm at the axis thereof, said pressure member being arranged within said water passage and having openings in the sides thereof which permit Water flow through said passage only when said openings are moved to a position below the bottom of said casing, said diaphragm having openings therein to permit passage of water therethrough, said pressure member eflective responsive to water flow in said water passage to flex said diaphragm and thereby to project said dispersing disc downward into said spray discharge opening and produce a spray discharge, and cooperating means on said spray discharge opening and said dispersing disc for stopping the downward movement of said dispersing disc.

4. In an automatically self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water passage therein, a cap member threaded on the lower end of said casing and having a spray discharge opening therein, a flexible diaphragm arranged across said water passage at the bottom of said casing and clamped to said casing by said cap member, a pressure member movable in said water passage and attached to one side of said diaphragm, said pressure member normally flexing said diaphragm slightly away from the bottom of said casing and holding it in prestressed condition, a spray dispersing disc attached to the other side of said diaphragm and normally in spaced relationship to said spray discharge opening, said pressure member movable responsive to water flow to cause stretching of said diaphragm to project said dispersing disc into said spray opening, said diaphragm having openings therein for water passage, cooperable means on said pressure member and in said water passage for preventing :a spray discharge from said spray opening until said dispersing disc has been projected into said spray opening, and cooperating means on said spray opening and said dispersing disc for stopping the movement of said dispersing disc.

5. In an automatically self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water passage therein, a cap member threaded on the lower end of said casing and having a spray discharge opening therein, a flexible diaphragm arranged across said water passage at the bottom of said casing and clamped to said casing by said cap member, a pressure member movable in said water passage and attached to one side of said diaphragm, said pressure member normally flexing said diaphragm slightly away from the bottom of said casing and holding it in prestressed condition, a spray disc attached to the other side of said diaphragm and normally in spaced relationship to said spray discharge opening, said pressure member movable responsive to water flow to cause stretching of said diaphragm to project said spray disc into said spray opening, said diaphragm having openings therein for water passage, cooperable means on said pressure member and in said water passage for preventing a spray discharge from said spray opening until said spray disc has been projected into said spray opening, and cooperating means on said spray opening and said spray disc for stopping the movement of said spray disc, the tension in said flexible diaphragm moving said spray disc away from said spray opening when water flow is terminated whereby a large gap is provided in said casing for instant drainage,

6. In an automatically self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water passage therethrough, a cap attached to the bottom of said casing and having a spray discharge opening therein, a diaphragm clamped at its periphery by said cap across the bottom of said casing and said water passage, the clamped periphery of said diaphragm serving as a seal to prevent leakage outwardly from said casing, a pressure member in said water passage secured on top of saiddiaphragm, a spray dispersing disc secured to the bottom side of said diaphragm and normally spaced from said discharge opening, said pressure member and said diaphragm having openings therein for passage of water therethrough, and cooperating stop means on said spray dispersing disc and said discharge opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 602,074 Gumtow Apr. 12, 1898 1,236,617 Speakman Aug. 14, 1917 2,583,233 Russell Jan. 22, 1952 2,583,234 Russell Jan. 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 91,209 Germany Apr. 9, 1897 

